If you’re in the U.S. Navy and thinking about what comes next, there’s a powerful benefit sitting right in front of you that too many sailors overlook: Navy COOL.

The Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program allows service members to earn civilian-recognized licenses and certifications that align with their military experience. That means you can leave the Navy not just with experience, but with credentials that employers in the civilian workforce immediately recognize.

For sailors interested in the skilled trades, Navy COOL can be a direct bridge to high-demand careers like plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding, and more.

Here’s how it works.

What Navy COOL Actually Pays For

Navy COOL covers the costs associated with earning industry credentials, including:

• • Certification exam fees
  • License application fees
  • Credential renewal fees
  • Study materials and prep courses (in many cases)

These are the same credentials civilian workers often pay hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket to earn. Instead, Navy COOL allows you to get them while you’re still in uniform.

Certifications That Translate to Skilled Trades Careers

If you’re considering working in the trades after the military, the key is targeting credentials that civilian employers and state licensing boards recognize. Examples include:

Plumbing

• • Journeyman Plumber
  • Plumbing Inspector Certifications
  • Backflow Prevention Certifications

Electrical

• • Journeyman Electrician
  • Electrical Safety Certifications
  • Electrical Inspector Credentials

HVAC

• • EPA 608 Certification
  • HVAC Excellence Certifications
  • NATE (North American Technician Excellence)

Welding

• • American Welding Society (AWS) Certifications
  • Structural Welding Certifications

These credentials signal to employers that your military experience translates directly into civilian job capability.

Example: Earning a Journeyman Plumber License

Let’s say you worked in a mechanical or construction-related rating in the Navy such as a Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) or Utilitiesman (UT). Through Navy COOL, you may be able to pursue certifications that support Journeyman Plumber licensing pathways depending on the state where you plan to live after service.

While state requirements vary, the general path usually includes:

1. 1. Documented work experience
   2. Passing a licensing exam
   3. Meeting state regulatory requirements

Navy COOL can help cover the exam and credentialing costs, which removes a major barrier. That means you could walk into your first civilian job already holding a recognized credential.

Why This Matters for Transitioning Service Members

The skilled trades are facing a massive workforce shortage across the United States.Employers are actively looking for workers who:

• • Show up on time
  • Know how to work on a team
  • Understand safety and procedures
  • Can solve problems under pressure

Sound familiar? Those are the exact traits Service Members like you bring to the table. By pairing your military experience with civilian credentials through Navy COOL, you make it much easier for employers to connect the dots between what you did in the Navy and the value you bring to their company.

How to Start Using Navy COOL

If you want to take advantage of this benefit, start here:

1. 1. Visit the Navy COOL website
   2. Search for credentials related to your rating or career interest
   3. Review eligibility requirements
   4. Submit a funding request for the certification exam

You can also talk with:

• • Your command career counselor
  • Your education office
  • Your transition assistance program (TAP) advisor

These resources can help you identify certifications that align with your career goals.

Don’t Wait Until You’re Out

One of the biggest mistakes service members make is waiting until they separate to start working on civilian credentials. By using Navy COOL while you’re still serving, you can leave the military with:

• • Recognized certifications
  • Less out-of-pocket costs
  • A stronger resume
  • A faster path into the skilled trades workforce

Final Thoughts

The transition from military service to civilian life doesn’t have to mean starting over. Programs like Navy COOL exist specifically to help you convert your military experience into credentials the civilian world understands.

If you’re considering a career in the skilled trades, earning certifications like Journeyman Plumber, electrician credentials, HVAC certifications, or welding qualifications before leaving the Navy can put you several steps ahead. Take advantage of the benefits you’ve earned, and set yourself up for success on the outside.